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me； and the Abbe de Polignac succeeded in gaining the confidence of
Monsieur de Bourgogne； as well as the favour of Madame de Bourgogne。
Maulevrier had thus two sources of annoyancethe Abbe de Polignac and
Nangis。 Of the latter he showed himself so jealous； that Madame de
Maulevrier； out of pique； made advances to him。 Nangis； to screen
himself the better； replied to her。 Maulevrier perceived this。 He knew
his wife to be sufficiently wicked to make him fear her。 So many
troubles of heart and brain transported him。 He lost his head。
One day the Marechale de Coeuvres came to see him； apparently on some
message of reconciliation。 He shut the door upon her； barricaded her
within； and through the door quarrelled with her； even to abuse； for an
hour； during which she had the patience to remain there without being
able to see him。 After this he went rarely to Court； but generally kept
himself shut up at home。
Sometimes he would go out all alone at the strangest hours； take a fiacre
and drive away to the back of the Chartreux or to other remote spots。
Alighting there； he would whistle； and a grey…headed old man would
advance and give him a packet； or one would be thrown to him from a
window； or he would pick up a box filled with despatches； hidden behind a
post。 I heard of these mysterious doings from people to whom he was vain
and indiscreet enough to boast of them。 He continually wrote letters to
Madame de Bourgogne； and to Madame de Maintenon； but more frequently to
the former。 Madame Cantin was their agent； and I know people who have
seen letters of hers in which she assured Maulevrier； in the strongest
terms； that he might ever reckon on the Duchess。
He made a last journey to Versailles； where he saw his mistress in
private； and quarrelled with her cruelly。 After dining with Torcy he
returned to Paris。 There； torn by a thousand storms of love； of
jealousy； of ambition； his head was so troubled that doctors were obliged
to be called in； and he was forbidden to see any but the most
indispensable persons； and those at the hours when he was least ill。
A hundred visions passed through his brain。 Now like a madman he would
speak only of Spain； of Madame de Bourgogne； of Nangis； whom he wished to
kill or to have assassinated； now full of remorse towards M。 de
Bourgogne； he made reflections so curious to hear； that no one dared to
remain with him； and he was left alone。 At other times； recalling his
early days； he had nothing but ideas of retreat and penitence。 Then a
confession was necessary in order to banish his despair as to the mercy
of God。 Often he thought himself very ill and upon the point of death。
The world； however； and even his nearest friends persuaded themselves
that he was only playing a part； and hoping to put an end to it； they
declared to him that he passed for mad in society； and that it behoved
him to rise out of such a strange state and show himself。 This was the
last blow and it overwhelmed him。 Furious at finding that this opinion
was ruining all the designs of his ambition； he delivered himself up to
despair。 Although watched with extreme care by his wife； by particular
friends； and by his servants； he took his measures so well； that on the
Good Friday of the year 1706； at about eight o'clock in the morning； he
slipped away from them all； entered a passage behind his room； opened the
window； threw himself into the court below； and dashed out his brains
upon the pavement。 Such was the end of an ambitious man； who； by his
wild and dangerous passions； lost his wits； and then his life； a tragic
victim of himself。
Madame de Bourgogne learnt the news at night。 In public she showed no
emotion； but in private some tears escaped her。 They might have been of
pity； but were not so charitably interpreted。 Soon after； it was noticed
that Madame de Maintenon seemed embarrassed and harsh towards Madame de
Bourgogne。 It was no longer doubted that Madame de Maintenon had heard
the whole story。 She often had long interviews with Madame de Bourgogne；
who always left them in tears。 Her sadness grew so much； and her eyes
were so often red； that Monsieur de Bourgogne at last became alarmed。
But he had no suspicion of the truth； and was easily satisfied with the
explanation he received。 Madame de Bourgogne felt the necessity；
however； of appearing gayer； and showed herself so。 As for the Abbe de
Polignac； it was felt that that dangerous person was best away。 He
received therefore a post which called him away； as it were； into exile；
and though he delayed his departure as long as possible； was at length
obliged to go。 Madame de Bourgogne took leave of him in a manner that
showed how much she was affected。 Some rather insolent verses were
written upon this event； and were found written on a balustrade by
Madame； who was not discreet enough or good enough to forget them。 But
they made little noise； everybody loved Madame de Bourgogne； and hid
these verses as much as possible。
CHAPTER XXXII
At the beginning of October； news reached the Court； which was at
Fontainebleau； that M。 de Duras was at the point of death。 Upon hearing
this； Madame de Saint…Simon and Madame de Lauzun； who were both related
to M。 Duras； wished to absent themselves from the Court performances that
were to take place in the palace that evening。 They expressed this wish
to Madame de Bourgogne； who approved of it； but said she was afraid the
King would not do the same。 He had been very angry lately because the
ladies had neglected to go full dressed to the Court performances。 A few
words he had spoken made everybody take good care not to rouse his anger
on this point again。 He expected so much accordingly from everybody who
attended the Court； that Madame de Bourgogne was afraid he would not
consent to dispense with the attendance of Madame de Saint…Simon and
Madame de Lauzun on this occasion。 They compromised the matter；
therefore； by dressing themselves； going to the room where the
performance was held； and； under pretext of not finding places； going
away； Madame de Bourgogne agreeing to explain their absence in this way
to the King。 I notice this very insignificant bagatelle to show how the
King thought only of himself； and how much he wished to be obeyed； and
that that which would not have been pardoned to the nieces of a dying
man； except at the Court； was a duty there； and one which it needed great
address to escape from； without seriously infringing the etiquette
established。
After the return of the Court from Fontainebleau this year； Puysieux came
back from Switzerland； having been sent there as ambassador。 Puysieux
was a little fat man； very agreeable； pleasant； and witty； one of the
best fellows in the world； in fact。 As he had much wit； and thoroughly
knew the King； he bethought himself of making the best of his position；
and as his Majesty testified much friendship for him on his return； and
declared himself satisfied with his mission in Switzerland； Puysieux
asked if what he heard was not mere compliment； and whether he could
count upon it。 As the King assured him that he might do so； Puysieux